Seven international firms have picked up bid documents. They include France's Alstom, Germany's Siemens, Italy's Ansaldo Energiaand Marubeni Corporationand Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, both of Japan. Among the 18 local firms to purchase the documents is Iran Power Plant Projects Management Company (Mapna).

International firms are required to bid in partnership with local companies. All participants will need to submit their own financing proposals. Bids are due to be submitted by 20 December.

Phase 1 covers the 1,000-MW expansion of an existing gas power plant south of Tehran and the construction of one 600-MW and two 700-MW stations in the provinces of Azerbaijan, Bushehr and Khorassan. The project's second phase, providing an additional 3,000 MW of power, will be tendered in 2003. The stations will be operated by state power generation and transmission company Tavanir.